Anti-MC4-R antibody

Target data

G protein-coupled receptor that binds melanocyte-stimulating hormones (alpha- and beta-MSH) and corticotropin/ACTH, which are peptide products of the POMC precursor (PubMed : 12646665, PubMed : 14764818, PubMed : 25163632, PubMed : 32327598, PubMed : 33858992, PubMed : 8392067). Functions as a central component of the leptin-melanocortin pathway, which is essential for maintaining energy homeostasis (PubMed : 32327598, PubMed : 33858992). Upon activation, couples to G(s) protein, stimulating adenylate cyclase and the cAMP-dependent signaling pathway, which promotes anorexogenic signaling in the hypothalamus and contributes to a negative energy balance (PubMed : 12588803, PubMed : 14764818, PubMed : 25163632, PubMed : 33858992). Regulates food intake : activation by agonists suppresses appetite, whereas the antagonist Agouti-related protein/AGRP precludes agonist-induced signaling, thereby stimulating appetite (PubMed : 9311920). Modulates the firing activity of neurons in paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus via alpha-MSH and AGRP regulation of inwardly rectifying potassium channel KCNJ13 closure, independently of G(s) signaling (PubMed : 32327598). In the PVN, also interacts with opsin 3/OPN3, which couples to G(i/o) proteins to inhibit MC4R-mediated cAMP signaling, thereby promoting food intake (PubMed : 39951488). In intestinal epithelial cells, contributes to inhibition of hepatic glucose production via nesfatin-1/NUCB2, leading to increased cAMP levels and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) secretion (PubMed : 39562740). Interaction with MGRN1 displaces the G(s) protein, further decreasing MC4R signaling activity (PubMed : 19737927). Also activated by gamma-MSH, though with low potency (PubMed : 8392067).